Daily Brief · Thursday, November 12, 2026

Daily Brief: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin after the Abu Dhabi talks, Gaza's Health Ministry said an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital killed six, Democrat Scott Colom defeated Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi, a petition to force a vote on a second Epstein files bill reached 218 signatures, Nvidia said Jensen Huang resigned as CEO, a lawsuit seeks to block Washington's I-638, San Juan County declared an emergency over cracks at the Orcas Island ferry terminal, Mancos remains under a boil-water advisory after flooding, and the Broncos said their proposed trade for Daiyan Henley will not be finalized.

World

U.S. envoys meet Putin in the Kremlin after Abu Dhabi talks

President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, the Associated Press reported, after two days of U.S.-mediated Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi that produced a prisoner-exchange agreement but no major breakthrough. The Kremlin published a transcript of the meeting's opening. Kommersant and the Guardian reported that Putin opposed any foreign troops in Ukraine and proposed a humanitarian mission to Kostiantynivka, while Witkoff said the prisoner swap showed progress. ABC News reported the envoys were expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin afterward.

Source: Associated Press (opens in new tab)

Gaza Health Ministry says Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital killed six

An Israeli airstrike hit the surgical wing of Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Thursday, killing six people including a surgeon and a 13-year-old boy, Gaza's Health Ministry said, according to the Associated Press. At least 28 people were wounded. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas commander and other militants, without providing evidence; AP said the commander it named was not among the dead. Anadolu Agency, citing Gaza's Civil Defense, reported four killed in the strike.

Source: Associated Press (opens in new tab)

U.S.

Democrat Scott Colom defeats Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi

Democrat Scott Colom defeated Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's U.S. Senate race on Wednesday after a prolonged ballot count, the Associated Press reported, making him the state's first Black U.S. senator since Reconstruction. Anadolu Agency reported he will be the state's first Democratic senator in nearly four decades.

Source: Associated Press (opens in new tab)

Petition to force vote on second Epstein files bill reaches 218 signatures

Rep. Thomas Massie's discharge petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II reached the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote on Wednesday, ABC News and CBS News reported. ABC said all 214 Democrats and four Republicans signed. The bill would let state attorneys general, victims and members of Congress sue the U.S. attorney general over withheld or redacted Epstein records. ABC said floor action could come after the Thanksgiving recess, as early as Dec. 2 or 3.

Source: ABC News (opens in new tab)

Money and tech

Nvidia says Jensen Huang has resigned as CEO; CFO Colette Kress named interim chief

Nvidia's board announced Thursday that Jensen Huang resigned as president, CEO and board member effective immediately, according to a company statement. CFO Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent successor, and Harvey C. Jones was named the board's first chair. The Associated Press reported the resignation followed revelations about an affair that raised national security concerns. Nvidia said it will report quarterly results Nov. 17 as scheduled. Yahoo Finance reported Nvidia shares fell more than 10% in premarket trading.

Source: NVIDIA Newsroom (opens in new tab)

Stocks closed higher Wednesday as CoreWeave jumped about 25%

The S&P 500 rose 1.31% to 7,619.38 and the Nasdaq gained 1.6% on Wednesday, while the Dow added 0.49%, Anadolu Agency reported, as AI-linked shares rebounded. Benzinga reported CoreWeave rose about 25% after upbeat third-quarter results. Futures fell overnight amid the Nvidia leadership news, Yahoo Finance reported.

Source: Anadolu Agency (opens in new tab)

Washington State

San Juan County declares emergency after cracks found at Orcas Island ferry terminal

San Juan County declared a state of emergency after Washington State Ferries found cracks in steel support beams beneath the Orcas Island terminal's transfer span, the county said. WSF barred vehicles longer than 22 feet from the dock, cutting off standard truck deliveries of food, fuel and supplies, FOX 13 and the Seattle Times reported. FOX 13 said bolted repairs are expected to take up to two weeks.

Source: San Juan County (opens in new tab)

Parents, educators and teachers union sue to block I-638 school sports measure

Parents, educators and the Washington Education Association have sued the state seeking to block Initiative 638, the voter-approved measure barring transgender girls from girls' K-12 sports, KPTV reported. The plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU of Washington, Legal Voice and Pacifica Law Group, argue its sex-verification requirement violates the state constitution's privacy, equal rights and education provisions. KPTV said the measure passed with nearly 56% of the vote and takes effect Dec. 3.

Source: KPTV (opens in new tab)

Colorado

Mancos remains under boil-water advisory after Nov. 1 flooding

The town of Mancos remained under a boil-water advisory Wednesday after historic flooding on Nov. 1 left debris and sediment that affected its water treatment plant, the Journal of Cortez reported. Town officials apologized for alert failures at a public forum, and said the order will not be lifted until the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment authorizes it. The Cortez Current reported the state required the advisory on Nov. 6. Montezuma County declared a local disaster emergency Tuesday.

Source: The Journal (Cortez) (opens in new tab)

Denver Broncos

Broncos say proposed trade for Chargers LB Daiyan Henley will not be finalized

The Broncos said Wednesday night that the proposed trade for Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley "will not be finalized," in a team statement. ESPN and Broncos Wire also reported the deal fell through, with Broncos Wire saying Denver keeps the draft picks involved. This updates yesterday's brief, which reported the trade as agreed. The 7-2 Broncos are on their bye week.

Source: Denver Broncos (opens in new tab)

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